There was more fallout from the Astros' sign stealing scandal Thursday, as Mets manager Carlos Beltran- the fourth person named in MLB's investigation- stepped down as Mets manager, and new allegations were raised against Astros' superstars Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, who are now accused of wearing buzzers on their right shoulder to get signs from the dugout.
Beltran was hired as the Mets' manager on Nov. 1, before MLB opened an investigation into the Astros cheating. He, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow, Astros manager AJ Hinch and former Astros bench coach and Red Sox manager Alex Cora, were all named in MLB's report Monday, and all four lost their jobs this week.
While this is being framed as Beltran resigning, he did not have much choice.
Beltran, a 20-year veteran, felt he could handle the heat from the scandal and told #Mets as much. He wanted to stay. But #Mets were adamant on a breakup. Wanted to rid themselves of the distractions and potential hassles down the line.
— David Lennon (@DPLennon) January 16, 2020
Insider Jayson Stark offered this on why Beltran was the only player named in MLB's report:
First observation about Carlos Beltran:
Why was he the only player mentioned in Rob Manfred's Astros verdict?
Because MLB clearly was stating: "He lied about this. We promised him immunity so we can't suspend him. But we want the world to know he lied."
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) January 16, 2020
MLB found the Astros used a center field camera in 2017 and 2018 to steal signs and then relayed the signs from the dugout to the batter by banging on a trash can or whistling. The Red Sox are under investigation for the same charges.
Of course Beltran was not the only Astros batter to use the camera to cheat, and two of their best players, Altuve and Bregman, are accused of wearing buzzers under their jerseys so they can still get stolen signs without drawing as much attention to themselves.
Beltran's niece tweeting about the buzzers, which matches up with what Ive been told from about 5 different parties. pic.twitter.com/zla70bW0Wu
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) January 16, 2020
Jomboy was one of the first to prove the Astros were communicating stolen signs with the trash can in November.
It was quickly disproved that the person making the tweets was Beltran's niece, but Gary Sheffield Jr. said it was instead a major league player's burner account.
Altuve, the 2017 American League MVP, clinched the pennant for the Astros in October on a walk-off home run. Before reaching home, he made sure that his jersey would not be removed in the celebratory scrum.
Altuve making sure he keeps that jersey on (via r/nyyankees) pic.twitter.com/OO32FVFxTi
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) January 16, 2020
That gif does not prove anything, but it is certainly does not help Altuve's case.
There has been no word from the commissioner's office on Altuve, Bregman or any other Astros.
No Pirates have been implicated in MLB's investigation, but Trevor Williams did offer this, um, take:
I’m of the opinion that this entire cheating scandal was spearheaded by sports illustrated in 2014 when they predicted that the Astros were going to win the World Series in 2017. Confirmed time-travelers and confirmed Illuminati. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk. pic.twitter.com/KzmJFn8RtO
— Trevor Williams (@MeLlamoTrevor) January 16, 2020
